Retrenched father returns to work

School vacation starts

This morning Ross advised that he had been recalled to his usual printing work; that the summer school vacation had started for his children, and that his 13-year-old son Kristofer was due to graduate ceremonially from primary school on April 2.

Politician sponsors genital mutilation campaign

Ross also advised that an advertisement at the Better Living subdivision near the family home was publicising a free mass circumcision session in the area, sponsored by a politician. Ross wished he had a camera to take photographs.

It remains to be seen what effect the genital mutilation campaign will have on Ross's family and especially on Kristofer.

In the Philippines, dorsal incision of boys' prepuces - an alteration known as tuli - has long been customary. Uncut high school boys are frequently subjected to severe social pressure until they conform.

Traditionally the mutilation has been performed by men without medical training but over recent decades it has also been performed by medical and paramedical practitioners.

Over the last decade, some medical authorities in the Philippines have been opposing the routine cutting. The most notable of these is Dr Reynaldo Joson, a surgeon at the Ospital Ng Maynila.

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Several years ago, Ross visited the hospital. He was unable to meet Dr Joson, but reported later, with some excitement, that there were signs posted prominently around the hospital saying tuli is painful and unnecessary.

Research by a psychology graduate among 3,500 high school boys in the province of Batangas revealed that 70% of boys cut by non-medical operators and 50% of those done in medical settings showed definite signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

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Details of text messages exchanged with Ross , 08:17-08:27 a.m. GMT+08, are shown below.

Ross: Gud morning Bern. I'm back to work; kids [are] on summer vacation, just at home. Kristofer['s] graduation [will be on] April 2. He only wish[es for] ice cream.

I saw political ads at Better Living [subdivision] near our place: it says free "TULI" painless handog pasasalamat Mula Kay: name of politician. I hope I have d camera to take picture.

Bern: Hello Ross! It's lucky you caught me online! Thank God you're back to work! Life is very difficult for me. Tina went to PGH yesterday and is still waiting there today.

I wish so much I could help your family to celebrate your children's school success but my financial situation is extremely difficult now.

Ross: Yes, Bern, I understand you. I hope I [will be] able to help you; texted you to let you know what's happening. Just wanna say hi. We're OK. I wish my job will continue. Thanks, Ross.

Bern: Thanks for that Ross. I hope I'm not interrupting your work right now. Thanks for the information about the Tuli campaign. The surgery is painful and unnecessary.